Project Manager

BACKGROUND

The Giant Magellan Telescope is the most powerful ground-based telescope ever engineered. It was designed to push the boundaries of human knowledge and discover the unknown. With unmatched image quality, seven of the world’s largest mirrors will launch our view into the universe to uncover the cosmic mysteries of dark matter, investigate the origins of chemical elements, and search for signs of life on distant exoplanets for the first time.

The 30-meter class telescope is under construction at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the best locations on Earth to view the heavens. From this unrivaled vantage into the southern sky, the Giant Magellan Telescope will produce the sharpest and most detailed images ever taken of our universe, ten times greater than the famed Hubble Space Telescope and four times the James Webb Space Telescope.

When complete in the late 2020s, the Giant Magellan Telescope will be the largest public-private funded science project in history. The endeavor was founded by an international consortium of leading universities and research institutions representing five countries, and is managed by the GMTO Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Pasadena, California. Our culture is impactful, inclusive, and fearlessly innovative. We solve the most difficult engineering challenges and scientific questions with talented individuals who share a passion for revolutionizing humanity’s knowledge of the universe.

We invite you to join our team and leave your mark on astronomy’s future and beyond.

The Universe Awaits.

 

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direct supervision of the President, the Project Manager (PM) will oversee the design, building, and operation of the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). The PM will be responsible for providing high-level and day-to-day project oversight, work direction, short and long range scheduling, and progress reporting of the GMT to meet project system requirements.

The PM will lead the project team in the design, construction, and commissioning of the GMT Observatory. The PM will report to the President, and will be responsible for keeping the GMTO Board of Directors informed on the status of the project. The PM will have primary responsibility for the management of the scope, schedule, budget, and personnel in the project team.

The successful candidate must have extensive experience in development and construction of research facilities related to physical sciences and research, and preferably ground-based astronomical observatories.

The candidate must have demonstrated accomplishment in all aspects of project management, from technical expertise to successful cultivation of large engineering teams. A successful candidate will be a strong leader with excellent and interpersonal skills.

 

JOB DUTIES

Oversee/coordinate the detailed design and construction of the GMT observatory facility in Chile

Work with Deputy Project Managers and Assistant Program Managers and the executive team to organize and set project priorities; develop work schedules and operation plans; develop the project cost model; identify risks and mitigation strategies to control costs and risks; and track project progress to deliver an operational observatory

Utilize EVM (Earned Value Management) systems and techniques to measure project performance and progress

Solve problems by assessing situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions and make recommendations that solve issues

Meet financial objectives by forecasting requirements, budgeting, and scheduling expenditures

Lead interaction with federal funding agencies, including the National Science Foundation, ensuring effective implementation and conformance with federal regulations, standards and processes

Ensure that the operation of the project team meets the expectations of the GMTO Corporation and Board of Directors

Create and deliver presentations and progress reports to executives, board members and funders on a routine basis

As a member of the GMTO Corporation Executive team, the successful candidate will collaborate with colleagues to anticipate project challenges, solve problems, accept special assignments from the President and provide recommendations

Build and supervise the project team, including recruitment, hiring, and retention of engineering staff, as well as assigning work to direct reports, monitoring performance, reviewing deliverables, providing timely performance reviews

 

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Minimum of a Bachelor of Science Degree in an Engineering field, Physical Science, or related field

Minimum of 15 years of project management experience leading large complex technical construction of scientific research facilities with capital costs between $300 million to $2 billion dollars, working with engineers and scientists from multiple disciplines

Experience negotiating and managing large and complex contracts

Excellent critical thinking ability and problem solving skills applicable to unique situations

Ability to work both independently and in diverse and team-oriented collaborative environment

Commitment to leadership, mentoring, and team-building

Personal and professional commitment to diversity, inclusion, ethics, and integrity

Extensive experience with resource-loaded schedule tools, such as Oracle, Primavera P6, Cobra, and Monte Carlo analysis techniques for uncertainty estimation

Practical knowledge of standard electronic communications tools and Microsoft Office suite of programs, in particular: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

 

DESIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Experience working in a project management capacity on large-scale (over $500 million), advanced technology and development projects funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy, NASA, and/or Department of Defense

Experience or familiarity with astronomical observatories (optical/IR, radio, UV, or high-energy)

Success working with international teams and in projects with diverse partners and funding streams

 

FEATURED BENEFITS

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Disability insurance

401(k)

 

COVID-19 VACCINE REQUIREMENT

GMTO has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy effective March 14, 2022, requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all employees (with GMTO-approved exemptions for religious or medical reasons only). At present, an individual is deemed “fully vaccinated” for Covid-19 two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series, or two weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine. GMTO management may revise the definition of Fully Vaccinated in this Policy based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force or other relevant Government or Health agencies. Any changes will be communicated to all employees before its effective date.

As a condition of employment, employees must submit official COVID-19 vaccine documentation.

 

APPLYING

To apply send your resume and a cover letter to [email protected].

If your skills and experience are a match for the position or if we need additional information, we will contact you. If we do not see a suitable match between your qualifications and the position, we will keep your information on file in the event future positions become available that are more suitable to your qualifications.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.